Overview:
The process of observing, developing and testing hypotheses, and iterating is a
fundamental process when navigating an ambiguous challenge or goal, including
learning, exploration (scientific and otherwise), and creative endeavors.
Our hypothesis is that not only is this process extremely valuable but that
humans seem to have evolved to appreciate this process. Research such as The
Progress Principle validates this hypothesis. The very existence of puzzles
(jigsaw, crossword, Sudoku, Portal, Angry Birds, ST Math, Dragon Box), activities
that have been enjoyed by people of all ages and nationalities for centuries but
that otherwise seem quite dry and boring (you can literally see the picture on the
box when you do a jigsaw puzzle), further validates that the raw components
navigating ambiguity (making tangible progress toward a goal in an iterative
fashion with good feedback loops) may be at the root of the engagement puzzles
provide. The concept of Flow and the fact that scientists and creative
professionals from all industries may express how their work feels like solving a
puzzle as an expression of its inherent interestingness provides further evidence.
This combination of usefulness and engagement is why we hypothesize the
puzzle metaphor and how it helps us navigate ambiguity would be a valuable
foundation for a school to build on top of.
General Principles:
●Set goals at the beginning. Why are the students there?
●This is about navigating ambiguous spaces alone and in a group
○Different skills are required in a group vs alone
●Personal interests and internships or independent/small group projects are
a great way to explore truly ambiguous spaces.
○Try to find adult mentorship
○Small peer groups to help brainstorm, support the work
●Exposure to different structures to help with the puzzle-solving skills
○Puzzle Solving Skills
■Observation
●Identifying and Questioning assumptions
●Asking good questions
●Reframing the problem
●Examine the ecosystem (systems thinking)
■Develop and test hypotheses
●Developing many hypotheses
●Picking a hypothesis to test (low hanging fruit / ROI)
●Testing and seeking feedback